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Original poster

What to do if you vomited outdoors or in a public space?

41 replies

UniCred1 · 01/12/2022 15:03

Today our boss treated us to some doughnuts and hot chocolate drinks with cream during morning break. Now I must confess that I didn’t have a hot drink with cream for years and years as I’d end up with diarrhoea almost immediately due to gastric issues.

Today however I was so hungry and got tempted so I thought that I should be fine as it wasn’t a humongous cup. I had it at 11:30 and by 12 I started to feel bad so I went outside to get some fresh air. Just to give you an idea about the location, it’s an industrial area with factories and offices only and most people spend their working day inside, especially in this cold. Anyway, I carried on walking outside and after a minute I vomited everything I had that morning. I was beside the road at this stage and no one was around. I felt a great sense of relief and went back to work. My colleague was having a third doughnut in a row and I thought I’d just warn her that they’re so sugary that I threw up. The conversation went along and she asked me “so how did you clean it up?” I said “nothing I just left it and came back and washed my face in the toilet” she looked so perplexed and said that people should always clean up after themselves. But how??
I also remember when my toddler got dizzy in the park (violent swinging with his brother!!!) and he threw up in the playground. People were looking at me as if it is my fault and I was so so embarrassed, but I really didn’t know what to do?? Obviously if it happened indoors and I have access to water, cleaning wipes and sprays I’ll clean it, of course I will! However It’s outdoors. What’s the done thing in this case? What’s the correct etiquette please?

OP posts:

CarPoor · 01/12/2022 16:10

Poor a load of water all over it? If its in the middle of nowhere you'd probably have to leave it but if it's right outside work surely you have access to water?

I think the playground you should definitely have cleaned sorry. No children want to be playing near vomit.

Whatsthestorytomorrow · 01/12/2022 16:14

upfucked · 01/12/2022 15:07

I would pour some water on it. If it’s outside your office surely you could have grabbed a bucket of water.

This is my first thought. Bucket of hot soapy water from the cleaners cupboard.
DS did once throw up when out but was quite close to home, DH brought him home then drove back to the spot with a bucket of water to slosh it away. Have used bottled water in the past too.

AliceS1994 · 01/12/2022 16:38

If have gone back with a bottle or two of water to try and at least reduce the worst of it. I would expect others to do the same. I'd consider that a reasonable thing to do, even of I couldn't do it straight away I would make sure I was prepared to throw some water on what was left on my way home from work.

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caffelattetogo · 01/12/2022 16:43

Yes, bucket of water. It's grim to leave it there.

Original poster

UniCred1 · 01/12/2022 16:46

Thanks for your replies everyone. There’s no bucket in my workplace and cleaners come at the beginning and end of our shifts, we never see them during the day. Nowhere to buy bottled water as it’s an industrial area that is out of town.

Obviously I didn’t throw up at the entrance. I left the building and car park by that time and I was walking along the main road. And yes I did it on the grass not the pavement.

OP posts:

drkpl · 01/12/2022 16:47

I’ve been sick twice outside in a public place (period started suddenly- I’m sick with the pain sometimes). I was too unwell to think about what I was going to do about it. I just had to get home before I was sick again.

Dinnerdate1 · 01/12/2022 16:47

I'd just leave it. I hate vomit but what can you do? It will eventually go. I'm heavily pregnant atm and the sickness hasn't gone away I'm still being sick daily at 35 weeks. I carry bags with me for the school run but sometimes it isn't enough.

cantba · 01/12/2022 16:50

Seriously. You get a big bottle of water and go and clear it up. Don't just leave it. Fucking vile.

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 16:52

I’ve had 3 pregnancies with HG from 6 weeks until I gave birth, largely uncontrolled by every drug going (my consultants tried the ALL).

The times where I had no choice but to drag myself from the house, I was sick. Mainly in gutters, down a drain if possible.

It was grim but no choice in the matter. Looking very pregnant always helped though. In early pregnancy, I looked so terrible you’d have thought i’d been up all night taking hard drugs.

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 16:54

Dinnerdate1 · 01/12/2022 16:47

Yes. I did the bag thing too, but sometime like you say it’s not enough or you get caught out.

I’m so sorry you are still sick. I was up to the end three times, it’s terrible.

Original poster

UniCred1 · 01/12/2022 17:04

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/12/2022 15:51

If it was near my workplace like you were (and I felt well enough) I would have gone and gotten a bottle of water or washing up bowl and at least made the effort to attempt to wash it away. If you dont have anything to hand at all or feel very poorly afterwards then you leave it and get home asap. Dd once threw up right outside the cinema and we just had to leave it and go.

Why did you go outside though and not straight to the bathroom especially if last time you got diarrhoea instead?

I had a gastric surgery a couple of years ago which means that I get dumping syndrome when I eat the wrong food. For me it starts with strong palpitations and excessive sweating which leaves me craving the cold air.

OP posts:

Eixample · 01/12/2022 17:11

My mother always went back with water or sand when we were sick as kids so I have done the same when mine were sick in public spaces. Just makes things a little bit nicer for everyone.

IheartBTS · 01/12/2022 17:15

Bizarrely, I was thinking about this scenario only the other day (not being sarcastic, I genuinely was). I honestly don’t know what I would do. I think the thought of trying to clean it up would only make me vomit again (I don’t cope well with vomit 😖!).

Twobirdsinatree · 21/03/2023 11:59

If you've got a bottle of water on you or you are near anywhere you could get a bucket of water then chuck that over it to wash it away a bit... but other than that there's not much you can do really..

Twobirdsinatree · 21/03/2023 12:01

Just use plain water in an outside environment, no soap or disinfectant as it can harm animals

notthisagainforest · 21/03/2023 12:22

Bucket of soapy water if you can but if that's not possible then I think it's just o e of them things that can't be helped it's not like you did it on purpose ! Don't worry

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